Estonia

Surnames

Surnames (or family names) are hereditary and are often common to all members of a family.

Occupational surnames are derived from an occupation. Examples include Taylor, Smith, and Baker.

Toponymic surnames are derived from a place. Examples include Ayers (a person from Ayers, Scotland) and Bach (German for a person who lives near a stream).

Religious surnames are derived directly or indirectly from religious texts or traditions. Examples include Christian biblical names, Hebrew names from the Torah, and Muslim names from the Quran.

Nickname derived surnames are those based upon appearance, temperament, or personality. An example is the German surname Schwarzkopf (in German, schwarz=black, Kopf= head) meaning a person with dark hair.

Ornamental surnames are those that were adopted or forced upon individuals (and families) under political pressure.

Patronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a male ancestor. An example is the English patronymic surname Peterson, meaning son of Peter.

Female patronymic surnames (also known as female possessive suffix surnames) are a female form of a patronymic surname, most typically a patronymic surname with a feminine suffix added. For example, in Russian, the wife of Mikhail Gorbachev is Raisa Gorbachova, -ev is replaced with ova.

Matronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a female ancestor. An example is the English matronymic surname Tiffany.

Popular Surnames (Family) in Estonia

Rank	Name	Distribution
76	Aavik	934
57	Adamson	1,134
40	Allik	1,256
62	Anderson	1,072
84	Annus	873
50	Arro	1,180
89	Aru	873
81	Braun	889
98	Gross	827
69	Hein	965
15	Ilves	1,976
31	Ivanov	1,486
94	Ivanova	843
32	Jakobson	1,455
85	Järv	873
95	Järve	843
54	Jogi	1,149
87	Johanson	873
16	Kaasik	1,946
83	Kala	873
68	Kalda	965
19	Kallas	1,900
74	Kangur	934
6	Karu	2,803
93	Kase	843
3	Kask	4,948
79	Kass	919
70	Kikas	965
43	Kim	1,226
30	Kivi	1,486
61	Kõiv	1,088
97	Kolk	827
7	Koppel	2,742
78	Kotkas	919
96	Kruus	827
6	Kukk	3,202
23	Kull	1,654
48	Kütt	1,195
25	Kuusik	1,593
12	Kuusk	2,068
86	Laane	873
55	Laas	1,134
75	Lang	934
20	Laur	1,808
56	Lember	1,134
10	Lepik	2,344
21	Lepp	1,731
64	Leppik	1,042
49	Li	1,195
28	Liiv	1,517
36	Lill	1,348
53	Lind	1,149
39	Lõhmus	1,272
18	Luik	1,900
80	Maasik	904
11	Magi	2,206
60	Martin	1,103
38	Mets	1,287
14	Miller	1,992
65	Mitt	1,042
92	Molder	858
100	Nõmm	827
72	Nurk	950
8	Oja	2,574
99	Orav	827
22	Ots	1,685
82	Ott	889
44	Ou	1,226
45	Paas	1,226
63	Paju	1,042
51	Palm	1,164
47	Parn	1,195
42	Parts	1,226
13	Peterson	2,053
91	Pihlak	858
46	Poder	1,210
41	Pukk	1,241
33	Puusepp	1,440
26	Rand	1,578
35	Raud	1,409
17	Raudsepp	1,915
8	Rebane	2,650
90	Rohtla	858
34	Roos	1,425
2	Saar	6,020
29	Saks	1,517
58	Sarapuu	1,118
4	Sepp	4,351
71	Sikk	965
52	Sild	1,164
88	Tali	873
1	Tamm	7,874
59	Tamme	1,103
27	Teder	1,532
77	Tomingas	919
37	Toom	1,302
73	Uibo	950
24	Vaher	1,639
66	Valk	996
67	Vares	996